ERNEST PAULO Born on January 25, 1944 in Los Angeles where his parents had moved from New Mexico to find work, Ernest succumbed to cancer July 18, 2012 at his home in Albuquerque. A talented visual artist, he began his career as a screen printer and moved on to become an art director for one of California's largest T-shirt companies. In the eighties, Ernest turned his attention from commercial to fine art, returning to school to pursue a Masters of Fine Art in painting. His work in this period was largely concerned with Southwestern themes and he developed a style that synthesized a passion for abstract expressionism with the loosely representational. He culled his subject matter from amongst the abandoned ruins of the Anasazi civilizations which provided a strange geometry that was both abstractly beautiful and profoundly mystical. After many visits to New Mexico he finally "returned" in 1989, bringing his wife and son back to his ancestral homeland. He found work as a teacher at what was then Albuquerque TVI where, in the early nineties he pioneered the studio art program instituting the school's first studio classes. In the 22 years that followed he touched countless students' lives in his art history and studio art classes at Central New Mexico Community College. The son of a United Rubber Workers union member, he was a founding member, strong advocate, and long-time officer of the CNM Employees Union, an AFT local. Ernest was a loving husband and father, a committed citizen, talented artist and moved through life with a genuine sense of wonder and curiosity. He earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues both as an inspiring, caring, and effective teacher and as a dedicated union advocate for professional recognition and fairness for his fellow workers. His memory will continue to inspire the best in us. Predeceased by loving parents Climaco Damacio and Ignacita Baldonado Garcia; an older brother William; and sister Alice. He is survived by his wife, Mary Humphreys Garcia; son David C. Garcia in Albuquerque; and brother C.D. Garcia of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. A memorial celebration will be held Sunday, August 26 at 4 pm at the Albuquerque Museum of Art. Donations can be made in his honor to a scholarship fund in his name at the CNM Foundation.
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